After being shown into a room that was surprisingly spacious, we used the tablets to order the dishes we liked.
"The karaoke here has an all-you-can-drink drink bar. Sorry Akky, can you go and get drinks for everyone?"
"Riran-chan, could you go with him? It might be hard for Akito-kun by himself."
I see. That's just an excuse to get Riran out of the room.
In that case, it's definitely more convenient if I go with her.
"Yeah, I got it."
"Then, everyone, please tell me what you want to drink."
Riran took note of everyone's drinks, and we left the room for the drink bar.
Amazingly, this drink bar even included all-you-can-eat ice cream in the menu. You could eat as much as you wanted, or put it in cola or melon soda to make a float.
I topped my cider with some ice cream.
"Still, it's so obvious, isn't it?"
"...What is?"
Riran let out a small sigh as she poured some green tea.
"If they're that blatant about it, they're bound to get caught."
"W-what are you talking about?"
"Akito, you actually know too, don't you?"
"Ugh..."
"That reaction. Just as I thought."
Ah... well, when it's that easy to understand, it's hard to say they're hiding it.
Riran noticed it too, after all. At this rate, the surprise is going to be ruined.
"Alright. Well, let's head back. ...I'm telling you now, don't say anything about noticing it."
"Yeah. I know."
Since it's Riran's surprise birthday party, saying "Actually, this guy noticed" would probably kill the mood.
It's better to just pretend I haven't noticed anything here.
I put the cups for everyone on a tray and returned to the room.
"Well then, I'm opening it."
"Yeah."
Riran opened the door and entered the room. And then—
""""Akito, Riran! Happy Birthday!!!!""""
Suddenly, party crackers were popped, and a roar of cheers broke out.
On the screen installed in the room, the words [Sanada Akito & Kuonji Riran Birthday Party] were displayed in large letters.
""...Eh??""
Birthday... birthday?
"...Ah, today is my birthday."
"Come to think of it, today was my birthday too."
""...Eh?""
""""Huh??""""
I looked at Riran.
Riran also looked at me.
Everyone looked at us with eyes like they were looking at something unbelievable.
Probably the same question was popping up in their heads.
"Umm... I thought today was Riran's surprise birthday party."
"I thought it was Akito's surprise birthday party."
"...Huh?"
"Sana-tan. Could it be that you forgot your own birthday?"
"Goodness, I wonder if Riran-chan forgot as well."
"No, I thought it was Riran's birthday, so I just forgot about myself."
"Same here. I was so focused on celebrating for Akito..."
Then, we looked at each other again.
""...Pfft. Ahahahaha!!""
What's with that? Thinking only of the other's birthday and forgetting your own—it's practically a joke at this point.
"To think you'd neglect yourselves because you were thinking about each other so much... just how much do you guys like each other?"
"Rira-tan, I'm so jealous... Hiyori wants to be loved this much too."
"Hiyori-chan, these two are a severe case, so you mustn't admire them."
That's harsh, Rion.
And then.
『Hello-oo. I'd be troubled if you forgot about us.』
『Now, now, Noa. This is normal for these two.』
"Hmm? Oh, Noa. Kotono."
Noa and Kotono were shown on someone's tablet placed on the table.
Noa looked a bit displeased though.
『Akito-senpai, happy birthday! And congrats to Kuonji-senpai too, I guess.』
"Yeah, thanks."
"Thank you. That last part was unnecessary."
Noa and Riran glared at each other through the screen.
Since I know they both have feelings for me, it's somehow embarrassing...
"I'm telling you, Akito is already d-a-t-i-n-g me. What's more, we're connected by the 'Red Thread of Fate'. Do you understand?"
『Hmph. Akito-senpai is a man after all. If I were to tempt him while naked, he'd be mine in an instant!』
"Akito!?"
"That's defamation!!!!"
My mind took damage from the sudden stray bullet!
Also, hey, Rion, Neika! Don't look at me with those eyes full of scorn!
"Wait! Does that mean Hiyori has a shot too!?"
"You don't! Akito is my fated person! I won't give him to anyone!"
Shouting and clamoring. Boy, it's lively in here.
『Big bro, you're quite popular, aren't you?』
"Thankfully."
『You're not even denying it.』
"Well, I was actually confessed to."
I turned her down though, so I wish she'd just give up already.
"By the way, why a video call? You could have just sent a message later."
『Noa said she wanted to celebrate properly. She has to study for exams, so she can't actually meet you though.』
I see. Noa has her good points too, doesn't she?
"Once again, thank you, both of you."
"Hmph! ...Thanks."
『...You're welcome. ...S-so, we're going back to studying now! Bye-bye!』
『Well then, everyone, have fun~』
With that, the call ended. They're as lively as ever, those two.
Just then, a staff member brought the dishes we ordered.
A platter of side dishes, pizza, vegetable sticks, Russian takoyaki, and so on.
It was a feast truly fit for a birthday party.
"Alright! Then let's get pumped up today!!!!"
When Neika, the first one up, shouted, the intro to an anime song that would get everyone super excited began to play.
"Ah, Hiyori knows this one! Let's sing together!"
"Oh! Hiyorin, that's good! Then, Rio and Rira, you sing too!"
"Hehe. Yes, alright."
"I don't know it, though..."
While saying this and that, Riran and Rion also joined in.
The joint birthday party for me and Riran had begun.